How to combine Xiaomi Redmi Airdots with multiple devices: the complete guide

Xiaomi Redmi Airdots wireless headphones have become a hit due to the ratio of price to quality, but their main feature – the ability to connect to two devices at the same time – often goes unused. Users face problems: the sound is interrupted when switching, one of the devices “does not see” the headset. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to combine Airdots with a phone, laptop or tablet, including hidden settings and avoiding typical errors.

It's important to understand that Redmi Airdots (including the S, 2, 3 and Pro models) support Bluetooth 5.0, which theoretically allows you to connect to two audio sources. However, in practice it depends on the device firmware, the Bluetooth version on the smartphone, and even the chipset manufacturer. We tested all the scenarios and put together working solutions, from standard to "sly" workarounds.

If you've been trying to connect your headphones to two gadgets and you've got a device-busy error or only one device is sounding, don't be quick to blame Xiaomi. 80 percent of the time, the problem is with the settings of your smartphone or PC, not the headphones. Next, step-by-step instructions with illustrations (in text format) and nuance analysis for different Airdots models.

1.Official method: Connecting to two devices via Bluetooth 5.0

The easiest method is to use the built-in multipoint feature (connecting to multiple devices at once), which works on all Redmi Airdots, starting with the first version, but with reservations:

• 📱 The smartphone should support Bluetooth 5.0+ (Check in the settings → The phone. → Bluetooth version. Bluetooth 4.2 multipoint won't work.
• 💻 The laptop/PC must have a Bluetooth adapter no older than 2018 (or an external one) USB-adapter with Bluetooth 5.0).
• 🔋 Headphone charge should be above 30% – at low battery level Airdots automatically turn off multipoint.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Redmi Airdots case cover and hold the button on the back for 5 seconds until the indicator flashes white-red (pairing mode).
2. On the first device (for example, smartphone) go to Settings → Bluetooth and select Redmi Airdots from the list.
3. Confirm the pairing. Once connected, the sound should automatically switch to the headphones.
4. Without closing the case cover, repeat step 1 (hold the button for another 5 seconds).
5. On the second device (laptop), search for Bluetooth devices and connect to Redmi Airdots.

If done correctly, the headphones will be displayed simultaneously in the list of connected devices on both gadgets, but the caveat is that the sound will only go to the device that last played the audio. To switch, just start playing on another device (for example, turn on music on your smartphone – the sound will automatically switch there).

Make sure that Bluetooth is enabled on both devices|

Close all applications that use the microphone (Skype, Discord)|

Disable other Bluetooth devices (fitness bracelets, keyboards)|

Update the firmware of the headphones (instructions in section 4)-->

2. Why you can’t connect to two devices: the top-5 cause

If the headphones refuse to connect at the same time, the problem lies in one of the following points:

Redmi Airdots S and Airdots 2: models support multipoint only with devices on the air MIUI 12+ Android 10+. If your smartphone is running on an older version, you will need to use workarounds (see next section).

⚠️ Note: On iPhone (iOS), Redmi Airdots multipoints are unstable due to Apple restrictions, and we recommend using one device on iOS and the other on iOS. Android/Windows.

Redmi Airdots (1st generation) |

Redmi Airdots S|

Redmi Airdots 2|

Redmi Airdots 3/Pro|

Another model-->

3. Alternative methods of combining with two devices

If the standard method doesn’t work, try one of these options:

Method 1: Using a Bluetooth transmitter

Suitable for connecting Airdots to the TV and smartphone at the same time, you will need a Bluetooth transmitter (for example, 1Mii B06 Plus or Avantek. APT-X). Scheme:

1. Connect the transmitter to the TV via 3.5mm jack or optical.
2. Connect Redmi Airdots to the transmitter.
3. On your smartphone, connect to the headphones as usual.

Cons: The sound will only come from one device at a time, but you can switch manually with a button on the transmitter.

Method 2: Software-based sound duplication (for Windows)

If you want the sound from the PC to be duplicated on the smartphone (for example, for streams), use a virtual audio cache:

• 🖥️ Install the VB-Cable program on your PC (free of charge).
• 📱 On your smartphone, install SoundWire or Wo Mic.
• Set up sound transmission over a local network or Bluetooth.

This solution is suitable for streamers or those who broadcast from PC to phone.

Method 3: Resetting headphones to factory settings

If the headphones have forgotten one of the devices or are not working smoothly:

1. Put both earphones in the case.
2. Hold the button on the case for 15 seconds until the indicator flashes red.
3. Close the lid for 10 seconds, then repeat the pairing from scratch.

💡

If the headphones are plugged in but the sound is interrupted, try turning off the Absolute Volume option in Bluetooth settings, a feature that often conflicts with Redmi Airdots.

4. Update the firmware headphones for stable operation

Many multipoint issues are solved by a firmware update. Xiaomi regularly releases patches for Redmi Airdots, but they don't install automatically. Here's how to manually update:

For Airdots 2 / Airdots 3 / Airdots Pro models:

1. Download the latest firmware version from the official Xiaomi website (Support section) → Redmi Airdots»).
2. Unpack the archive and rename the firmware file to fw_update.bin.
3. Put the headphones in the case and connect it to the PC through USB-cable.
4. Copy. fw_update.bin The root catalog of the case (it will appear as a removable disk).
5. Turn the case off. USB. The headphones will be updated automatically the next time you connect.

For the Airdots S model:

The update is made via the Mi Home app:

1. Connect the headphones to your smartphone.
2. Open Mi Home, find Redmi Airdots S in the list of devices.
3. Go to Settings → Update firmware.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen (don’t turn off the headphones during the process!).

⚠️ Warning: If during a firmware update, the indicator on the case goes out and the headphones stop turning on, it's not a brick. Put them in the case for 24 hours: they will recover automatically. Don't try to flash them again!

5. Set device and codec priority

Even if the headphones are connected to two devices, the sound may not play correctly due to incorrect codec settings or priorities.

On Android:

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth.
2. Click on the icon. ⚙️ near Redmi Airdots.
3. Select Additional → Codec and install. SBC (multipoint).
4. Activate Priority for Calls if you use headphones for calls.

On Windows 10/11:

1. Open the settings → Devices → Bluetooth.
2. Select Redmi Airdots and click Device Settings.
3. In the Service section, tick Audio and Telephony.
4. Restart the PC.

Important point: if one of the devices is enabled LDAC or aptX, the multipoint won't work. These codecs occupy the entire Bluetooth channel, blocking the connection of the second device.

💡

For stable work with two devices, always use a codec SBC — It is less demanding on Bluetooth bandwidth and less likely to cause conflict.

6. Solving problems with sound synchronization

One of the most common complaints when using Redmi Airdots with two devices is the delay of sound (lag) or its asynchronousness (for example, in games or videos).

• 🎮 Lag in games: The fault of the codec AAC, delayer 100-200 Switch to the next one. SBC Bluetooth.
• 🎥 Sound and video synchronization: Enable the option of Sound Delay Compensation (is available in the player) VLC, MX Player).
• 🔊 Sound Interrupts: Turn off Bluetooth Energy Saving on both devices (on Android: Settings) → Battery → Optimization → Bluetooth).
• 📱 The sound only goes to one ear: Reset the headphones (section 3) and repeat the pairing. If the problem persists, one of the headphones is discharged (charge the case to 100%).

For Redmi Airdots 3 Pro models, there is an additional setting in the Mi Home app:

1. Open the app and select headphones.
2. Go to Settings. → Game mode.
3. Activate the Low Lag option (reduces lag to 80 ms).

7. Compatibility with non-standard devices

Can you connect Redmi Airdots to two devices if one of them is Smart? TV, A gaming console or a MacBook:

For Xiaomi Mi. TV There is a separate instruction:

1. Update your TV firmware to the latest version.
2. In the audio settings, select Bluetooth audio → Redmi Airdots.
3. On the second device (smartphone) connect to the headphones manually.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi Mi Box S and Mi Box 4, the multipoint for Redmi Airdots only works after the feature is disabled HDMI CEC prefixed.

FAQ: Frequent questions about combining Redmi Airdots